HELLO KITTY CAFE

HELLO KITTY CAFE

This place is right next to my building and is all things Hello Kitty. I went inside to snap some photos but I didn't order anything. Also, all the employees wear kitty ears.

I heard from a friend that there is actually a Hello Kitty airplane that operates as a commercial jetliner in which its interior is all things Hello Kitty (visit the website here: http://evakitty.evaair.com/en/)

CHANGWON SANTA BIKE PARADE

CHANGWON SANTA BIKE PARADE

Here are some pictures from the Changwon Santa Bike Parade. It was a city sponsored event that was free and brought out all sort of folks: young people, old people, men, women, children and both Korean and American military. My friend, Tom (mentioned here), from the Jinhae US Navy base joined the ride too.

It started off with some pre-ride festivities including some dance groups. Some highlights included meeting a gubernatorial candidate (the guy in the sash) and during the pre-ride festivities watching some mid-aged ladies (the women in blue) doing the Gangnam Style dance. It was a very fun day and it even snowed a little!

SNOWING IN CHANGWON

SNOWING IN CHANGWON

Here are some pictures from around the neighborhood on a snowy day in Changwon.

BIKE RIDE FROM CHANGWON TO BUSAN

BIKE RIDE FROM CHANGWON TO BUSAN

My friend Van came down from the Seoul area with his bike. Van (mentioned here) is a Vietnamese-American from Los Angeles currently serving in the U.S. Military. Our plan was to ride from Changwon to Busan. It took about 5.5 hours and we rode about 40 miles. 

I apologize for being lazy, but I have posted all the pictures on a different image share site 

Enjoy!

HIKING IN MASAN & CHANGWON

HIKING IN MASAN & CHANGWON

I went on 2 hikes in two days this weekend.

These are some pictures from my hike in Masan:

Often times at the top of a hike there is some provided workout equipment. This man is using a hula hoop as he enjoys his view.

These are some pictures from my hike in Changwon:

At the base of the hike there was a temple.

Views from the hike:

ULSAN WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

ULSAN WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

I went to Ulsan with some friends from Changwon to go to the Ulsan World Music Festival. 

Ulsan

Ulsan

There were also some Korean cultural events at the festival

Making Rice Cake

Making Rice Cake

This festival included not only many kinds of international music, but also many kinds of international food. 

Pictured (l-r): Anna, Danielle, Me and Lauren

Pictured: (l-r): Naz and Me (and Sri Lankan chicken and rice)

I saw a Hungarian group perform called Parno Graszi, featuring some of the most impressive ham-boning I've ever seen. It was a little gypsy-ish. They had some fiddle and some accordion. I thought about what a trip it must be for this band out of Hungary to be flown out all the way to South Korea and playing for an auditorium full of smiling and clapping Koreans.

Next I saw a Spanish flamenco guitar trio called Duquende, featuring a member who played a box he was sitting on.

I also saw the Korean group wHOOL. It was a mix of modern instruments as well as traditional Korean instruments. They were my favorite band I saw there. 

wHOOL

wHOOL

wHOOL

Next was Windy City, the Korean reggae band featuring a didgeridoo. Having lived in Eugene, OR, I can say that this was the most marijuana-less reggae concert featuring a didgeridoo, perhaps in human history.

Windy City

Windy City

Next was Babylove & the van Dangos from Denmark. It was kind of feel goody jammy music.

Next we went to the party tent and Chinese group Pet Conspiracy, followed by several DJs and a lot of dancing.

Pet Conspiracy

The original plan was to camp in the park (not really allowed). I didn't have a sleeping bag, I figured if I just wore a winter hat and a fleece I would be fine. I was wrong and freezing. I woke up at 3AM shivering. I got in a cab put the word "nearby" into my translator app and told the driver "jimijilbang." I stayed the night there. They gave me little pajamas to sleep in. In the morning I woke up, got a shower and got out of Ulsan.

On my way out I walked past a McDonalds that did McDonalds breakfast. I ordered a sausage biscuit meal, sat and ate it. I looked back at the menu and saw that they had hotcakes that looked very good. Also I figured, in Korea, where am I going to get pancakes. So I finished my meal, got up from my table and shamelessly walked back to the counter to order some hotcakes.